PAWTUCKET – For 85 years, a group of dedicated religious sisters have shown mercy on the inner-city school children of Pawtucket. The Woodlawn Catholic Regional School, formerly the St. Edward Parish school, has had a Sisters of Mercy presence for its entire history; generations of children have passed through its doors and been touched by the presence of the sisters.
Third-grade teacher Sr. Mary E. Monaghan, R.S.M. has been there for the past 33 years. She began teaching at the school a few years after the 1972 incorporation of the parishes of St. Maria Goretti and St. John the Baptist, both in Pawtucket, when the school changed its name from St. Edward School to the Woodlawn Catholic Regional School. Since then, she has seen many changes. Their student body now includes about 200 students from parishes across the Diocese, from Woonsocket to Johnston. The also have students of different faiths.
Principal Veronica Procopio said that in the midst of these changes, “the Sisters of Mercy always made a mark in the lives of children.”
Now, she and Sister Monaghan agree, the presence of a sister at the school is a new experience for many students. They are likely to have never encountered a nun before, and their experience with Sister Monaghan is an opportunity to learn.
“It’s a good place to be able to give them a chance to learn about the religious life,” she said.
Many of the current students have parents who are alumni and wanted to give their children the experience of a Mercy education.
“The Mercy presence, the Catholic environment in our school is clearly a draw,” said Procopio.
The staff at Woodlawn believes theirs is the only school in the Diocese that has had a continuous Mercy presence for 85 years, and it’s more than likely. The only operational Sisters Of Mercy convent in the Diocese is located next door to the school.
September is an important month both in the history of the school and the religious order.
Not only does the month mark the 35th anniversary of the incorporation of the Woodlawn school, September 8 was also observed as the birthday of the Virgin Mary, an important day for the Sisters of Mercy, when many entered the convent. Further, September 24 is traditionally Mercy Day, which the sisters celebrate the Sunday before with a Mass and reception commemorating sisters who have reached jubilee anniversaries.
Procopio reflected on the historical importance the Sisters have had at the school, “We really have a strong sense of this Mercy presence here and our intention is to never let that end,” she said.
The children in Sister Monaghan’s third grade class this year already have a sense of the extra something that she adds to their classroom experience, even though they’ve only been in school for a couple of weeks. “She teaches us a lot about religion because she knows a lot,” said Elijah Ramos of Providence.
Procopio knows that this is the only time that most of the children at Woodlawn will be taught by a sister and what that can add to their experience of the Catholic faith.
“She is the living model,” Procopio said of Sister Monaghan. “When they see [the religious life] in action, it becomes a reality.”
A Mercy Scholarship fund has been developed to aid parents with the tuition to Woodlawn. Also, the Sisters of Mercy provided a full scholarship to “a very deserving, very bright young lady who otherwise might not be able to attend the school,” said Procopio.
Development Director Patricia Riendeau marveled at the “ladies of action,” whose support also helps to fund retreats and buy supplies like books.
“I really think we have a very unique situation here,” added Procopio.
